Reginald Wood – Redcar/Stanford-le-Hope

January 2018

Paedophile probably jailed for the “rest of his life”

AN 83 year-old man, originally from Stanford-le-Hope, has been caged for what will probably be the “rest of his life” after pleading guilty to a string of horrific sex offences against children.

Reginald Wood, aged 83, of Staintondale Road, Redcar, Cleveland was sentenced to seventeen years in prison at Teeside Crown Court on Friday

Wood sexually assaulted three different girls from a young age and raped two of them.

The incidents took place at numerous sites both in Essex and Redcar over two decades, with some taking place in the cab of his lorry.

Wood, who now lives in Redcar, pleaded guilty to 23 different charges – including five rape charges, and numerous indecent and sexual assault counts, during a trial in October.

He was given a prison for a total of 17 years – with an extended 12 months on licence if he’s ever released.

Wood had lived a larger part of his life in Stanford-le-Hope and Purfleet as well as other areas of the country.

Victims from as far away as Australia were interviewed as part of a complex and far-ranging investigation which looked into offences that went back decades.

Cleveland Police Sergeant Chris Turner said: “Reginald Wood preyed on his victims and hid his true motives by acting as a fatherly figure. He fully deserves the lengthy prison sentence he has been given today.

“I would like to commend all of the victims who have shown great strength and bravery in coming forward to report their horrific ordeals and commend the courage they have shown throughout this process.

“Finally I would also like to thank police colleagues in Essex and Australia who have helped tremendously in gathering evidence for this case. I hope the victims can now move forward with their lives, knowing that Reginald Wood is now behind bars.”